Are You Weary?

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Life is hard. Before salvation, all of my time and energy were spent seeking security. I sought financial security, constantly searching for ways to make more money. I longed for relationship security, trying so hard to build a solid connection to a man who would never abandon me. I tried to build a similar unbreakable bond with my only child. I spent energy and worry trying to create physical security, to keep myself and my family safe from the dangers of the world, accidents, illnesses, crime. I sought emotional security mostly by avoiding letting myself become vulnerable to others who might let me get attached and then betray me or mock me or uncover the “real” broken person I was trying so hard to hide. All of this meant I was constantly anxious, worried, on-guard, and frantically busy trying to keep up a facade. It left me exhausted, depressed, and afraid all the time. This was my life for decades.

Then something happened that changed everything. Jesus entered my life.

“Take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29-30

When I started following Jesus, I had no idea what He was talking about in Matthew 11:29-30. Yoke? What yoke? A yoke was a thing you put on a pair of oxen so they could pull a plow or a wagon or something. What did that have to do with rest? Or with me?

It has taken many years for me to understand. Before I surrendered my life to Jesus, I trying to pull the entire load alone. I believed I bore the responsibility for protecting and providing for myself. I was, without knowing it, yoked to my own fears and insecurities. I believed it was all up to me. And in my heart, I knew I couldn’t do it. Hence, the constant fear. I knew that if it were all up to me, I would fail. And because my fear and striving led me to sin, I did fail. Repeatedly.

Once I put my faith in Christ, though, He started teaching me about God’s faithfulness, goodness, provision, and sovereignty. By studying the Bible, listening to verse-by-verse Bible studies, listening to sermons (and taking notes!), praying daily, and listening to the testimony and wisdom of the faithful followers God brought into my life, I learned it was never up to me. Looking back, I now see that God was with me all the time, even though I was in rebellion and sinning against Him.

Slowly, I have learned to stop pulling the load and just walk alongside Jesus, knowing He will carry the heavy parts. I’ve learned to relax, trusting the sovereign plan of God. I’ve learned to be content with who I am and the circumstances of my life, even in the hard times. The world hasn’t changed, but I have. And by taking the yoke alongside my Savior, I have found peace and rest for my soul. I pray you find it, too. Surrender it all to Him. Give Him control and you will find rest for your soul.